DUCKS) GEESE, AND! SWANS. 189 
change their small feathers twice, once in early 
summer and once in autumn. The young are 
hatched covered with down, and able, to a great 
extent, to shift for themselves. 
SHELDRAKE. 
This remarkably handsome species, the Aas 
cornuta of S. G. Gmelin, and the Zadorna cornuta 
of most modern naturalists, is a resident on such 
parts of the British coasts as are suited to its needs. 
Unfortunately, continued persecution has driven 
this beautiful Duck from many a haunt along the 
coast, and it is now almost entirely confined during 
the breeding season to the more secluded districts, 
or to such places where man may accord it some 
measure of protection. Low sandy coasts, and ex- 
tensive dunes by the sea, are the favourite resort of 
the Sheldrake; and, owing to its secretive habits 
and exceptional wariness, it is a species that may 
be very easily overlooked. During the breeding 
season, an observer may wander for hours up and 
down the haunts of this Duck without seeing a 
single bird. Once seen, however, it is easily iden- 
tified—no other bird along the coast more readily. 
The harlequin arrangement of the colours is more 
eccentric, perhaps, than beautiful. The bill, to begin 
with, is crimson ; the head and upper neck are dark 
metallic-green ; the lower neck is white, and below 
this is a broad band of bay or chestnut; the rump, 
upper tail coverts, and tail (except the tip, which 
